Of 7 days for filing objections in reservation of municipal wards, 4 holidays, one working day

8/23/2018 12:11:37 AM

Early Times ReportJammu, Aug 22: The office of the Chief Electoral Office seems non-serious while issuing its order two days ago in which it had invited objections in reservation of municipal wards within seven days. But astonishingly, in these seven days there are four holidays and only one working day. The Chief Electoral Office had issued a notice regarding reservation of municipal wards on August 20 under No. 2080/ CEO/ME/2018/4446-4475, in which wards were reserved for Women, Scheduled Caste/ Scheduled Tribes in upcoming urban local bodies' election and had invited objections/suggestion within seven days. "Office has given very inadequate time to file objections/suggestions as the notice in this connection was issued on August 20 and the information came into public domain on August 21. Interestingly August 22, 23 were state holidays on the account of Eid and on August 24, i.e. Friday is the working day and then again on August 25, 26 there is off at Civil Secretariat. The remaining day which is the last day is August 27. Then how will objections/suggestions reach to the office through post? The step taken by office without considering these things creates ambiguity in the minds of people," sources told Early Times. The notice issued reads that in accordance with Section 10-A of the Jammu and Kashmir Municipal Corporation Act, 2000, and Section 11-A of the Jammu and Kashmir Municipal Act, 2000, wards are to be reserved for Women, Scheduled Castes/ Scheduled Tribes in the Municipal bodies of the State. It further reads that based on the population data, wards to be notified as reserved wards for SC, ST, Women (Open Category), Women (ST Category) have been worked out and are enclosed as annexure. The principles adopted in determining the total number of reserved wards for each Municipal body, Category-wise as well as identification of specific wards to be reserved for various categories in each municipal body are enclosed as annexure ii. "The Chief Electoral Officer, J&K invites objections/suggestions in relation to the aforesaid proposed Notification. Any objections/suggestions should reach the CEO J&K Block A Old Secretariat Srinagar, within 7 days from the issuance of this notice i.e 27-08-2018, after which no objections/ suggestions shall be entertained."